Covenant News

Creative Arts Camp Encourages Kids to Lead Worship

SARANAC, MI (August 25, 2005) - Students at a Creative Worship Arts Camp spent last week learning to integrate various art forms with their faith and were able to use that experience in worship last Sunday.

The children, ages 9-13, were able to choose two of five options for the weeklong, half-day camp, says Julia Carr, pastor of worship arts at Saranac Community Church. Participants could choose from sculpture or drama in the early session. The second session offered video, music or drawing.

What the children created was included as part of this Sunday's service, says Carr. The different classes have been developed around the Scripture readings for the service – Psalm 104; Exodus 2 in which an infant Moses is saved; and Roman 12, in which Paul discusses how different gifts are important to the church.

In celebration of Psalm 104, which praises God for his creation, the sculpture class traveled to a nearby river to collect items they would use for their projects. The class also used clay to sculpt and illustrate different ways in which they can contribute to others.

A skit based on Romans 12 was performed and some of the students helped lead the congregation in singing. Carr also has been able to use the class to teach about worship. "They said I was the best teacher ever because I let them sing into a microphone," Carr says, laughing.

The service also included a video made by the students, who took a field trip to film nearby waterfalls, rivers, fields and animal life. They have been editing the video, which eventually will have a voice over of Psalm 104 and music.

Carr had hoped to offer a class on sacred dance, but only one child signed up. There may have been some miscommunication, however. "I heard a lot of kids saying they didn't want to do a scared dance. I wouldn't want to do a scared dance either."

The camp also served as an outreach, with six of the children never having attended any church, Carr says. Carr has been at the church since June and has been excited that the congregation wants to involve children in the service on a regular basis. "There is so much that children can do in worship," she says.

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